Ag, Food, and Business Career Fair welcomes hundreds of students and employers
September 27, 2024
LI YAN TAN, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION, BA '25
The Ag, Food, and Business Career Fair, held this September in the North Star Ballroom in St. Paul, was a resounding success, drawing an impressive turnout from both students and employers. With 294 students attending and 55 employers present, the event created a vibrant space for networking, internships, and career opportunities.
Students from a wide range of majors made the most of the fair, with Food Science (37), Animal Science (35), and Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (27) leading the way in attendance. The top 10 majors were well-represented, reflecting the diverse interests of the CFANS student body.
The fair wasn’t just about networking; it offered plenty of opportunities for students to prepare and get noticed. A total of 126 students took advantage of the chance to get professional headshots, ensuring they’re ready for their next steps in the professional world. The Career Fair Prep Session was also a hit, with 50 students attending to polish their skills and boost their confidence ahead of the fair.
A standout new addition this year was the Employer Panel, which featured four industry leaders: Ellen Butterfield from Curious Plot, Karl Thorson from General Mills, Maggie Priebe from Land O’Lakes, and Beth Stebbins from Scoular. Students enjoyed lunch from Chick-fil-A while soaking in valuable advice on securing internships, navigating career fairs, and breaking into the ag industry.
Another great opportunity was the General Mills Innovation, Technology, and Quality Info Session, which attracted 26 students eager to learn more about careers with one of the nation's leading companies. In total, six employers conducted 27 interviews on campus, with many more virtual interviews scheduled.
We are incredibly grateful for the generous support of our Gold sponsor, Compeer Financial, as well as our Maroon sponsors, FM, Hormel Foods, and Land O’Lakes, Inc., whose contributions helped make this event such a success.
This fair, supported by these sponsors, proved to be an incredible event for students exploring their futures in agriculture, food, and business. Whether students were looking to make connections, secure interviews, or simply explore their options, the Career Fair provided the perfect environment to take those first steps.
The CFANS community continues to thrive through opportunities like this, and we’re excited to see the future impact these connections will have!
